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South Africa: Is Thabo Mbeki Really Still in Touch With Reality?
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
EDITORIAL
15 April 2008
Posted to the web 15 April 2008
It is not surprising that Mbeki should be such a denialist given that contrary to empirical evidence of runaway crime rate in South Africa, Mbeki is still adamant that the rate was mere fabrication of the fertile minds of unpatriotic white South Africans.
It was therefore not surprising to the watchers of the southern African political scene, when Mbeki declared to the puzzled SADC Summit of heads of state and government this weekend that there was "no crisis" in Zimbabwe.
As the Lusaka summit got under way, it was exactly 14 days since the Zimbabweans cast their votes to decide whom their president should be. Up to now there had not been a word as to when the presidential results would be released. Instead, the autocratic Robert Mugabe regime has unleashed its terror campaign on the opposition, white farmers and literally anybody who does not profess to love his ruling ZANU-PF.
The regime is also trying to institute a re-count of some of the long-released parliamentary results, in which the opposition emerged victorious. The regime is even talking of the re-run of a presidential elections, whose results are still unknown. The long-suffering Zimbabwean voters are yet to be told on what the anticipated run-off is based on. Neither, has the cause for the delay in the release of the presidential results been explained.Yet in Mbeki's wisdom, there is "no crisis". Any sane person cannot help but agree with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader, Morgan Tsvangirai that "unless, of course, they (Mbeki and friends) say the crisis should be demonstrated by bodies on the streets." However, the way things are going, there is no doubt that soon there will be a bloodbath in Zimbabwe.
It would, therefore, not be irrational to expect both Mugabe and Mbeki to bear full responsibility in the aftermath. Since the advent of the Zimbabwean crisis during the Constituent Assembly referendum, Mbeki has always rammed upon his SADC colleagues the "quite diplomacy" approach - with devastating effect. Mbeki was further rewarded, though, with leading the mediation process between Mugabe and the opposition. All his efforts have been a total failure.
The Lusaka summit also requested Mbeki "to continue in his role as Facilitator on Zimbabwe on the outstanding issues." The SADC leaders had to give it to Mbeki. After all, South Africa is not only a regional super power, but also a continental one. What can be deduced from this status is that Mbeki has failed dismally to provide the much-needed regional leadership in these trying times. History will judge him harshly.
Today's Thought
"A dictator must fool all the people all the time and there's only one way to do that, he must also fool himself."
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William Somerset Maugham
This article is fascinating! Apparently, the good ole boys' network is copying that of our colonial masters. Mbeki is standing by his comrades in arms! Mbeki is loyal to Mugabe. But the million $$ questions is for how long and at what cost? As an Ethiopian, my blood boils, for Mugabe has afforded a maniac like Mengistu refugee. I doubt if the ANC will have this shady criminal face justice as he was their buddy in their time of need. Cumilatively speaking, we are talking about good ole boys' network in Africa. In lieu of copying the best of the... [Read Full Text]
Hold on!! Having Mengistu in Zimbabwe helped prevent further blood shed in Ethiopia. For your information Mengistu was handed to Zimbabwe by the Americans, for safe keeping. Democracy also requires compromises that are necessary to pave the way for peace. No easy fixes to democracy. Look at EU or USA, it took them centuries to improve their democracy. SADC region is the most democratic region in Africa. Dialogue, not forcing your way is the way forward. Yes, while your blood boils against vengence for mengistu, the country has moved on. Revenge does not pave the way for democracy. Saddam Hussein... [Read Full Text]
To Anonymous Have you only just figured that out
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